Infusion packages



May 7, 1957 l.. BARNETT 2,791,505 l INFUSION PACKAGES Filed Nov. 17,1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 0a/5 AA/fff May 7, 1,957 L. BARNETT2,791,505

INFUSION PACKAGES Filed Nov. i7, 1954 s sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

May 7, 1957 L BARNETT 2,791,505

INFUSION PACKAGES Filed NOV. 17, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4Z INVENTOR.

tates `Patent O INFUSN PACKAGES Louis Barnett, Brooklyn, N. Y., assiguorto National Tea Packing Company, inc., Long Island City, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application November 17, 1954, Serial No.469,406

6 Claims. (Cl. 99 77.1)

This invention relates to the manufacture of filled containers or bagsand more particularly is directed to an improved siamese twin ortwosome, that is, a pair of infusion package units suitable for use astea or coffee balls and the like, which can be selectively used as asingle whole, or in separate half-part units, each complete with astringhandle and tag.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve infusioncontainers or bags in the form of twosome or twin infusion packages ofthe character described, each whole package being readily convertiblefor use when desired into two complete tea or coffee balls withindividual string handles and tags, which shall comprise few and simpleparts, which shall be easy and cheap to manufacture, which shall becapable of quantity production on automatic high `speed packagingmachines, which shall incorporate as an integral part of the iilledcontainer body portion and/or tag means for releasably retaining thestring-handles in non-tangling position, and which shall be ecient andpractical to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists of features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter disclosed, the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawing in which various embodiments of theinvention areshown: i

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a twosome or Siamese twin infusionpackage such as may be readily converted into two half-part units withdouble stringhandles and divisible tags embodying the invention showingthe latter extended suspending the entire package for manipulationduring infusion.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 2 2, 3 3 and 44, respectively, in Fig. l, Fig. 4 being enlarged to show details of thetag divisional construction.

Figs. 5 and 6 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, of theimproved infusion package in Figs. 1 to 4 showing the non-tanglingpositioned double stringhandle extending by loop shortening between thetwo halfparts thereof and the divisible tag against the package bagportion.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of an infusion package like thatshown in Figs. 5 and 6 except that the double string-handle isnon-tanglingly positioned to eX- tend by loop shortening through thedivisible tag and against the package bag portion.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational View showing the infusion package likethat shown in Figs. l to 4 converted converted into two equal parts bydivision of the Abody portion and the tag to provide two complete halfunits.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a modified construction of animproved Siamese twin infusion package embodying the invention asapplied to a bag portion formed with an expandable bottom tag portionand stringice handle ends anchored in the top heat-sealed seam of thepackage body portion.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views taken on lines lll-l0,11-11 and 12 12, respectively, Fig. l2 being enlarged to show details ofthe divisible expandable bottom body portion.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the infusion package like thatshown in Figs. 9 to 12, converted into two equal parts by division ofthe expandable body portion and tag.

Figs. 14 and 15 are front elevational and sectional views, respectively,of another modified construction of an improved siamese twin infusionpackage embodying the invention as applied to a split plastic bandhandle construction with the end thereof anchored in the top heat-sealedseam of the package body portion to provide a corner suspensiontherefor, the band string-handles being shown in dot and dash lines in anon-tangling position, Fig. l5 being taken on line 15-15 in Fig. 14.

Figs. 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 16 16 and17-17, respectively, in Fig. 14, Fig. 17 being enlarged to show detailsof the tag divisional construction, and

Fig. 18 is a front elevational view like that shown in Fig. 6, but withthe tag mounted to engage the top closure joint seam in anothernon-tangling position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 20 denotes a filled Siamese twininfusion package constructed and arranged for use as a single wholecomprising a sectionalized body portion 2l convertible for use asindividual halfpart units 21a and 2lb, for example, in the form of arectangularly shaped tea bag of the pillow type manufactured to embodythe invention.

As seen from Figs. l to 4, infusion package 20 may have said bodyportion 21 thereof formed with a bag structure made of suitable filtersheet material folded over on itself to provide a bottom edgefold 21Cthereof. Thus, there is provided two superimposed or overlying layers ofthe lter sheet material forming flat side walls of said body poltion 21which may have end marginal edge areas thereof adhesively secured in anywell understood manner to form oppositely positioned side edge borders,such as, joint seams or flanges 23 and 24, said body portion 21 alsobeing formed with a central divisible partition joint seam 25 extendingmidway between said side border joint seams 23 and 24 in parallelrelation thereto thereby forming two adjoining lled compartments forsaid half-part units 21a and 2lb. Said unit compartments when made as aninfusion package for brewing tea or coffee may each be partially filledwith a contents of an essence containing product T and sealed therein bytop border edge closure joint seam 21d of body portion 2l.

A suitable filter paper sheet for forming body portion 21 may be made ofa vegetable fibrous pulp stock having a thermosetting coating or lamina,the latter being such that when made into the tea bag has sufficient wetstrength to withstand immersion in boiling water without damage ordisintegration and without undue loss of ten sile strength. Said lterpaper sheet material, when used to form the tea bags, must be such as topermit ready infusion, that is, passage therethrough of the water of immersion for brewing and straining the filling or tea contents T, saidsheet material and coating being of such composition that they arenon-toxic, insoluble in hot boiling water and impart no lodor or tasteeven to the slightest degree fto the brew.

In manufacturing infusion packages for brewing tea, coffee and the likearticles, of the liquid immersible expendable type, it has beendesirable to include as pa-rt of the package some form of handle memberto manipu# late the same. For example, a tea bag is generally providedwith `a string 27 or 28 for use during the ybrewing v operationVparticularly when carried Out in a cup, and

may also be provided with a tag 22 as a finialY of said string handle27. The tag 22 may bear a legend, such as, the name or trademark of themanufacturer, grade of the tea, etc. Such handle members with tags,because of certain conveniences, are at the present time most fre`quently provided, for example, with one end 27a of the string-handle 27suitably anchored to the infusion package top closure joint seam 21d. Y

The present invention is directed to improved constructions having inaddition, where desired, the body portion 21 and/or a divisible tag 22thereof constructed and arranged to function as non-tangling means forreleasably retaining looped portions of the tstring-handle 27 and tag 22against the body portion 21 to permit the most approved packaging of theinfusion packages Ztl in containers and facilitating the removal of suchpackages 20 ready for the brewing.

As here shown, infusion' package 20 has secured to mid-portions of thetop closure joint seam 21d anchored ends 27a and 23a of the twostring-handles 27 and 28, respectively, as for example1 by staples 26.Said stringhandles 27 and 28 extend in spaced apart relation with saidanchor ends 27a and 23a thereof each overlooking the edge of saidclosure joint seam 21d. Free ends 27b and 28h of said string-handles 27and 28, respectively, have securely mounted thereto divisible tag 22.

The latter, as is clear from Figs. l, 2, 4, 5 and 7, may be attached tostring-handle free ends 27b and 28h in any suitable manner, as forexample, adhesively, by cementing, stapling or the like, and when saidtag 22 is made `to serve as a releasable retaining means in the mannerherein described, may comprise an elongated piece of sheet materialhaving opposite end portions 22a and 22b thereof folded over toward eachother with stringhandle ends 2717 and 28h, respectively, interposedsandwich-like making firmly secured connections.

Mid-portion 22C of tag 22 between said end portions 22a and 22h thereofmay be provided with a centralized tear line 22a' for separating the tag22 into two parts, one part for each of said string-handle end portions27h yand 28h. Tear line 22d may be through-perforated to a degree justshort of disconnecting said two parts of tag 22 to facilitate conversionof the single whole infusion package 2G into half-part units thereof.The improved releasable string-handle retaining non-tangling featuresmay be formed by simply providing a through-slit 22e along a portion ofthe tear line 22d instead of forming the latter entirely ofthrough-perforations.

To facilitate said conversion of infusion package 20, central divisiblepartition joint seam 25 is also provided with tear line 25a which may'be through-perforated to a degree short of complete severance of saidbody portion half-part units 21a and 2lb from each other while retainingthe joint closure seam 25 thereat intact. By through-slitting a portionof the tear line in place of perforating same, as at 2517, an improvedreleasable stringhandle retaining non-tangling means is provided, as isclear from Figs. l to 4.

Where the method of manufacturing Siamese twin packages 20 makes it morefeasible to slip looped stringhandles 27 and 28 into said slit 25hrather than to thread the Isame therethrough, the end thereof may beenlarged to form a slot portion 25C as an open end for slit 251) to giveready access to said slit 25h.

The utility of the invention will now be apparent. After manufacturingtwosome infusion package 20 in the manner described above for brewingbeverages with said -body half-part units both charged with ta T, thepackage 20 may be used as a single whole to properly brew tea ofrelatively strong or full avor in the shortest time by holding the tag22 with the 'body portion 21 suspended on both string-handles 27 and 28as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and simply immersing or subjecting the entire`body portion 21 to boiling water in conformance with and as recommendedby authorities on the preparation of tea beverages.

However, it is often necessary to prepare a so-callcd weak or mild brewto suit the taste or demand of the drinker, in which circumstances saidpackage 2b can bc readily converted into individual half-part units byreadily severing body portion 21 along tear line perforation 25a anddividing the tag 22 along tear line perforations 22d into two parts.Said package part units 21a and 2lb are thus individually madeavailable, as is clear from Fig. 8, for brewing in the same manner asdescribed for the single whole package 2t).

It has Ibeen found desirable to deliver filled infusion package 2t) tothe` user with the string-handles 27 and 23 thereof in a non-tangledcondition. To that end, the string-handles 27 and 28, in themanufacturing process of complete infusion package 2t?, may bereleasably retained in an effective non-tangling position by eitherengaging looped portions 27e` and 2SC of string-handles 27 and 28',respectively, in said through-slit Zb, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, or insaid tag through-slit 22e, as is clear from Fig. 7.

lt is to be understood that this invention is not only applicable tofilled infusion packages for brewing tea and coffee, but is also adaptedfor use with other products encased in filter sheet material bodyportions. Thus, for example, a Siamese twin lled package, if desired,may contain in one compartment a principal product from which an essenceis to be extracted, such as, tea leaves, and in the other a modifyingingredient, such as, either powdered milk, cream, dry fluent sugar, or adry powdered lemon essence. Said infusion packages Ztl are also suitablefor mixtures of the said modifying ingredients or soluble medicinalpreparations, food seasoning, dyes and the like.

In Figs. 9 to l2, there is shown a modified construction of the improvedinvention -in the form of twosome infusion package 30 convertible intohalf units 31a and 3117, as is clear from Fig. 13, having string-handles37 and 38, the free ends 37b and 38b, respectively, of the latterterminated by divisible tag 32 attached in the same manner as descbedfor said divisible tag 22.

The latter may be provided with a centralized throughperforated tearline 32d and through-slit 32e in the same manner described above forsaid divisible tag 22 of infusion package 20.

Anchor ends 37a and 38a of the string-handles 37 and 3S, respectively,are secured in spaced relation between the adhering parts of the bodyportion 31 which form top closure joint seam 31d, as is clear from Figs.9, 10 and 11.

Body portion 31 instead of having a bottom edge fold like infusionpackage 20 is provided with an inturned expansionpleat 31e whichrequires center divisible partition joint seam 3S to extend transverselythereacross, the latter in turn being through-perforated by tear line35a slitted at 35h and slotted at 35C, as is clear from Figs. 10, l1 andi3.

Another modified construction of improved Siamese twin infusion package40 embodying the invention is shown in Figs. 14 to 18 having ribbon orband handles 47`and48` which may be made of strip or attened plasticthread material instead of a libre or cotton string. Anchore/d ends 47aand 48a of said ribbon handles 47 and 4S, respectively, may be securedclosely parallel or side by side positioned between adhering parts ofinfusion package body portion 41 which forms portions of top closurejoint seam 41d and center divisible partition joint seam 4S.

Free ends 47b and 481) of ribbon handles 47 and 48, respectively,terminate by divisible two part tag 42 which may be attached adhesively,the latter being provided with a through-perforated tear line 42dextending between th-e ribbon handle free ends 4711 and 48h, as is clearfrom Figs. 14 and 17 to a degree just short of disconnecting said twopart tag d2. The latter may be provided with spaced apart gripping slits42j for releasably retaining the tag 42 and looped mid-portions 47C and48C of the ribbon handles 47 and 4S in non-tangling position against thebody portion 41 with gripping slits 421 detachably engaging over topclosure joint seam 41d, from which position the tag 42 can be readilydismounted for use, as is clear from Fig. 18.

Infusion packages 30 and 40 each may be used in the same manner asdescribed herein for infusion package 2), and are constructed like thelatter except as herein described.

It Will thus be seen that there are provided improved Siamese twin ortwosome infusion package constructions in which the several objects ofthe invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet theconditions of practical use.

As various other possible embodiments of the invern tion might be madeand as various changes in the enibodiments above set forth might bemade, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shownin the accompanying drawings and described in the speciiication are tobe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

l. A Siamese twin infusion package constructed and arranged for use as asingle whole, comprising a sectionalized body portion convertible into atwosome of half-part units, strand handle members fastened to a topclosure joint seam of said body portion extending therebeyond inparallelly spaced apart relation to serve each half-part unit, and adivisible tag mounted to terminate said handle members, saidsectionalized body portion including a center partition joint seamhaving a tear line through-cut by perforations and an elongated slitextending therealong separable on conversion of said infusion packageinto half-part units, side edges of said slit serving to releasablyretain looped portions of said strand handle members in nou-tanglingposition prior to conversion.

2. The Siamese twin infusion package defined in claim 1 in which saidbody portion has an inturned expandable bottom side opposite said topjoint closure seam through which the center partition joint seamextends, said slit formed to completely sever a mid-portion of the bodyportion expandable bottom side.

3. The Siamese twin infusion package defined in claim 1 in which saidslit terminates in an enlarged open-ended slot portion to facilitateslipping said looped portion of the strand handle members into the slitfor said releasable retention therein.

4. A twosome infusion package constructed and arranged for use as asingle whole, comprising a section alized body portion convertible foruse as individual half-part units separated by a tear line,string-handles for said units having anchored ends thereof secured to atop closure seam of the body portion, the other ends of saidstring-handles terminated by an attached tag having a tear line and analigning through-opening, the latter having edge portions serving toreleasably retain looped portions of the string-handles in shortenednon-tangling condition and positioning the tag against the body portionprior to conversion.

5. A Siamese twin infusion package constructed and arranged for use as asingle whole, comprising a sectionalized body portion convertible into atwosome of half-part units, individual string-handles fastened to a topclosure joint seam of each half-part unit, a divisible tag mounted toterminate said string-handles, said sectionalized body portion includinga center partition joint seam, said center partition joint seam and saidtag having tear lines through-cut by perforations and elongated slitsextending in alignment with said perforations separable on conversion ofsaid infusion package into the halfpart units, side edges of said slitsserving as means for selectively retaining looped portions of saidstring-handles in positioning the string-handle and tag in anon-tangling relation against the body prior to conversion.

6. A Siamese twin infusion package constructed and arranged for use as asingle whole, comprising a sectionalized body portion convertible into atwosome of halfpart units, individual string-handles fastened to a topclosure joint seam of each half-part unit, a 4divisible tag mounted toterminate said string-handles, said sectionalized body portion includinga center partition joint seam, said center partition joint seam and saidtag having tear lines through-cut by perforations and elongated slitsextending in alignment with said perforations separable on conversion ofsaid infusion package into the half-part units, said tag having a pairof secondary slits extending in from a peripheral edge thereof andspaced on opposite sides of said tear line and slit for temporarily gripmount ing the tag on the top closure joint seam prior to conversion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,362,459 Barnett Nov. 14, 1944 2,413,686 Barnett Jan. 7, 1947 2,571,138Irmscher Oct. 16, 1951

1. A SIAMESE TWIN INFUSION PACKAGE CONTRUCTED AND ARRANGE FOR USE AS ASINGLE WHOLE, COMPRISING A SECTIONALIZED BODY PORTION CONVERTIBLE INTO ATWOSOME OF HALF-PART UNITS, STRAND HANDLE MEMBERS FASTENED TO A TOPCLOSURE JOINT SEAM OF SAID BODY PORTION EXTENDING THEREBEYOND INPARALLELLY SPACED APART RELATION TO SERVE EACH HALF-PART UNIT, AND ADIVISIBLE TAG MOUNTED TO TERMINATE SAID HANDLE MEMBERS, SAIDSECTIONALLIZED BODY PORTION INCLUDING A CENTER PARTITION JOINT SEAMHAVING'' A TEAR LINE THROUGH-CUT BY PERFORATIONS AND AN ELONGATED SLITEXTEND ING THERELONG SEPERATED ON CONVERSION OF SAID INFUSION